A09442:219
Lectures upon the three first chapters of the RevelationLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation
Lectures upon the three first chapters of the Revelation: preached in Cambridge anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefit of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Divinity. To which is added an excellent sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise councillor, Ambrose, Earle of Warwick: in which is proved that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallenLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation: preached in Cambridge anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefite of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Diuinitie. To which is added an excellent sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise councellor, Ambrose, Earle of Warwicke: in which is proued that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallen
London: printed by Richard Field for Cuthbert Burbie, 1604
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Seeing we be spiritual kings, we must above all things labour and seek to have that our right and heritance, to be possessors of our kingdom. Must we so? then we must not have our hearts glued and fast tied to the things of this world: but we must so use this world, as though we used it not. If a King should lay down his crown, and go and become a shepherd, or of some manual trade, all men would marvel at it: so when we fasten our selves to these worldly things, we do as it were cast aside our kingly crown, and abase our selves. But we must ever have one foot fixed in heaven, striving to come to our inheritance there.
Seeing we be spirituall kings, we must aboue all things labor and seek to haue that our right and heritance, to be possessors of our kingdome. Must we so? then we must not haue our hearts glued and fast tied to the things of this world: but we must so vse this world, as though we vsed it not. If a King should lay downe his crowne, and go and become a shepheard, or of some manuall trade, all men would maruell at it: so when we fasten our selues to these worldly things, we do as it were cast aside our kingly crowne, and abase our selues. But we must euer haue one foote fixed in heauen, striuing to come to our inheritance there.
Seeing all the true members of Christ be kings and priests, ⟨p. 49⟩this should be an inducement to all backward persons, to move them and stir them forward to christian religion, and not to account of it as preciseness, seeing that by it we come to have right and interest to the kingdom of heaven, to be Lords of all creatures. For why should we not esteem of the Gospel as a most precious jewel, seeing that we which are vassals of Satan and fire-brands of hell (as all men are by nature) become the members of Christ, yea Kings and Priests to God? And seeing this is effected by the ministry of the Gospel, this should move us to embrace it, to love and like it, seeing it brings us such an excellent benefit, and not to misname it as we do, by reproachful terms. Yea verily, the consideration of this, should make the Ministers of the word to take all pains to preach the word, seeing by it they make men to become of vassals of Satan the true members of Christ, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. In this world for a man to consecrate and establish one in a kingdom, it is a thing of great honour: is it not of greater honour, to consecrate one to become king of heaven and earth, to be heir of the kingdom of heaven? Now that this is done in the ministry of the Gospel, when by the word preached we are converted, made to believe in Christ, and to repent of our sins: this I say should stir and prick forward the Ministers of the word, to labour to win men to Christ, and to make them kings and priests to God his father.